25/- VOLUME 13 NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2021 Almost a century ago, Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. Physicists have now measured the influence of the band structure of tungsten on the dynamics of photoelectron emission. In a series of photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, the team used attosecond pulses of extreme ultraviolet light to probe the dynamics of photoemission from a tungsten crystal. The results revealed that electrons that interact with incoming photons take a little time to react to such encounters. This finding was made possible by the adoption of a new approach to the generation of attosecond pulses. In the longer term, the new findings could also lead to novel materials with electronic properties that enhance light-matter interactions, which would make solar cells more efficient, and improve switching rates of nano-optical components for ultrafast data processing. (https://scitechdaily.com/physicists-use-ultrashort-laser-pulses-to-probe-the-dynamics-of-photoemission/) PHYSICS NEWS A framework to simulate the same physics using two different Hamiltonians Researchers introduced a framework that could prove useful for simulating the same physics with two distinct Hamiltonians. In addition, they provide an example of an analog simulation and show how one could build an alternative version of a digital quantum simulator. A Hamiltonian is a function or model used to describe a dynamic system, such as the motion of particles. Researchers set out to rethink the principles of quantum simulators and then realized that in addition to the Hamiltonian, the initial state should also be taken into account as an ingredient of quantum simulators. They defined a 'connector' operator and found that the same dynamics is observed from two different Hamiltonians if the initial state is an eigenstate of the connector. This result indicates that using the same Hamiltonian is not always a necessary condition. Remarkably, the fact that a quantum simulator Hamiltonian can differ greatly from the Hamiltonian one wants to simulate could extend the scope of quantum simulation, as it means that one could create a simulator whose Hamiltonian does not agree with that of any systems existing in the world. These researchers' work could thus enable the design and realization of different types of quantum devices. Read more at : https://phys.org/news/2021-06-framework-simulate-physics-hamiltonians.html Original paper : Physical Review Letters (2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.160402 The fifth quartet: Excited neon discovery could reveal star qualities All elements besides hydrogen and helium must have been fused inside the nuclear furnace of a star. The yield during these reactions of carbon-12, which has six protons and six neutrons, is increased by an unusual quirk in that 12 is divisible by 4. This means that given a little extra energy, the nucleons in carbon can form three alpha particles, consisting of two protons and two neutrons each, and these alpha particles can be condensed into the lowest-energy orbit in carbon-12. The existence of an alpha condensed state in heavier isotopes with atomic weights divisible by four, such as neon-20, has been theorized, but remained uncertain. These condensed states would provide a unique window into the world of nuclear physics. This is because the densities of most normal nuclei are very similar to each other, while the alpha condensed state would be an example of a low-density many-body system. Measuring the properties of protons and neutrons in such a dilute state would be very helpful for understanding the nature of low-density nuclear matter that exists on the surface of neutron stars. Now, a team of researchers have provided experimental evidence that these excited states do exist in neon-20. By firing alpha particles at a neon gas, they observed that the decay products indicated the existence of specific energy states in the original nucleus. These matched very well with predictions of the 5α condensed state, in which the 10 protons and 10 neutrons are grouped into five alpha particles in the lowest-energy orbit. Read more at : https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210624114331.htm Original paper : Physics Letters B (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2021.136411 Pankaj Bhardwaj Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen & Nuremberg, Germany IAPT Bulletin, August 2021 270 BULLETIN OF INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS Mailbox http://www.indapt.org (ISSN 2277-8950) From the President's Desk.....The Silent Majority CHIEF EDITOR: U.S. Kushwaha, Chandigarh Vol 13 Number 6-7, June - July 2021 EDITOR: Manjit Kaur, Chandigarh ASSTT. EDITOR: Arvind K. Taneja, Chandigarh On receiving the bulletin, first I glance through the content EDITORIAL BOARD: on the back cover page. Ÿ L. Satpathy, Bubhaneswar The first item " The Silent Majority" immediately caught my Ÿ H.C. Verma, Kanpur Ÿ Pratip Kumar Chaudhari, Kolkata attention. Ÿ Vijay A. Singh, Mumbai To know of the various activities done by so many members ADVISORY BOARD: of IAPT and their RCs was thrilling, but the tone of the Ÿ Satya Prakash, Chandigarh Ÿ Y.R. Waghmare, Pune message was even more exciting. MANAGING EDITOR: The recognition of true workers of IAPT like Ved Ratnaji, C Sanjay Kr. Sharma Email: [email protected] K Majumdarji, B N Chandrika, and Tushar Pandya, (the last Ph.: 9415404969 two being my own dear friends) was satisfying. All communication regarding the contents of the Bulletin should be addressed to: More so, acknowledging the 'silent majority ' was the Chief Editor (IAPT Bulletin) reward! Indian Association of Physics Teachers Dept. of Physics, P.U., Chandigarh - 160014 A good word is always a source of motivation for further Email: [email protected] activities, for the well-being of the Physics community. Ph.: 7696515596 (USK), 9464683959 (MK) The Bulletin is the official organ of the IAPT. It is a monthly Sarmistha Sahu journal devoted to upgrading physics education at all levels Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College through dissemination of didactical information on physics and related areas. Further, the Bulletin also highlights Bangalore information about the activities of IAPT. INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS REGISTERED OFFICE: Corrigendum Indian Association of Physics Teachers Flat No. 206, Adarsh Complex, In June –July issue Awas Vikas-1 Keshavpuram, Kalyanpur, Kanpur-208017 1. At page 248, the author Abha Khandelwal’s Ph.: 09935432990 l Email: [email protected] address is: Department of Computer Science, EXAMINATION OFFICE: Indian Association of Physics Teachers Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra 15, Block 2, Rispana Road, Near DBS (Post Graduate) College 2. At page 264, A correction in minutes of the Dehradun - 248001 (Uttarakhand) special EC meeting, in the item no. 2.1(C), is Ph.: 9632221945 Email: [email protected], http://www.iapt.org.in as follows. PRESIDENT: (ii) C. K. Majumdar Memorial Workshop by Vijay A. Singh UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences RC-19 ...". It should be RC-15 and not RC-19. Vidyanagari Campus, Mumbai University Santa Cruz (East), Mumbai-400098 Ph.: 022-26530228 Editor Email: [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY: K. N. Joshipura 4, Punit Park, Vidyanagar Road, Anand-388001 Ph.: 02692-245042, 9825318897 Story of Cosmology... Email: [email protected] CHIEF COORDINATOR (EXAMS): With this issue we are starting a new series which will B. P. Tyagi showcase the Philatelic Collection unfolding the 23, Adarsh Vihar, Raipur Road, Dehradun-248001 mysteries of the Universe. Ph.: +91 135 2971255, 9837123716 Email: [email protected] TYPESET : Shubham Singla, [email protected] IAPT Bulletin, August 2021 271 ARTICLE Brief History of Satellite Navigation with Reference to Navigation with Indian Constellations (NavIC) Manoj Kumar Srivastava Army Cadet College, IMA, Dehradun [email protected] Abstract Navigation is an act or process to find one's position or guide the different transport ways to reach the desired destination. It has been a concern of human beings since time immemorial. In old day's voyages through sea routes were more convenient because of its easiness to sail as compare to moving through land routes. During sea voyages in the beginning, star based navigation was the only navigating tool to guide followed by the compass as an assisting tool. Later cartography was introduced and used for navigation guidance. These ways of navigation became gradually obsolete with the introduction of satellite navigation systems in which satellites were used to locate one's spatial position with comparatively very high precision. The principle of satellite navigation system include simple geometry in which three position co-ordinates of any location can be calculated using distances of three satellites from the position to be explored. Fourth satellite will take care of time parameter to be synchronised with all the satellites.First such system 'Transit' was introduced in 1950's by United States (US) for targeting submarine fired nuclear missiles. Navigation systems gained popularity 1995 onwards for both civil and military applications with GPS and GLONASS became fully functional. During the Kargil war, differential GPS was utilised to fix the GPS. Requirement of an Indian Navigation System was deeply felt after Kargil war where because any navigation system controlled by other nation cannot be relied under hostile situations. Hence, India decided to have its own indigenous navigation system with its first satellite IRNSS-1A in 2013. Different applications of satellite navigation include civil applications under Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Services (RS) provided only to authorised users including military. Introduction Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) with an In today's world, locate spatially has become the need of operational name NavIC (Navigation with Indian the day. To navigate within our territory with greater Constellations). The name NavIC, a sailor, was coined by precision became necessary for all the countries in general the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.